Archaeologists
Claudia Kraan and Amy Victorina are the archaeologists working on Curacao. We are involved in all archaeological projects on Curaçao either on land or in water and everything between.
You can look up our profiles and other information here.
Drs. Claudia Kraan
My name is Claudia Kraan, and I have been working as a professional archaeologist since 1997. I graduated in Archaeology and Culture History of Indian America at Leiden University in 1998, specializing in Caribbean archaeology. During my studies, I participated in archaeological research in Guadeloupe and La Désirade. Following graduation, I gained experience in Dutch and German archaeology, working in both commercial and governmental organizations as an archaeologist and physical anthropologist. This period also included field research in Carriacou, Trinidad, and Curaçao.
In 2008, I relocated to Curaçao to join the NAAM Foundation as an archaeologist through the government of the Netherlands Antilles. Since 2010, I have been working part-time directly for the NAAM Foundation as an archaeologist and the deputy director. My research interests include the Indigenous peoples of Curaçao and their connections to Bonaire, Aruba, and the coastal areas of Venezuela. I also focus on archaeological heritage management and promoting equitable international partnerships, with a particular interest in decolonizing archaeological fieldwork and research practices.
Through the NAAM Foundation, I serve as the local co-director of the Curaçao Cultural Landscape Project, a long-term international multidisciplinary collaboration that I helped initiate. In 2022, I established my sole proprietorship, Maraca, to pursue projects that I have envisioned for years and consider important, fascinating, or relevant. Among these initiatives is the Archaeology Curaçao website, developed in collaboration with Rianne Hellings of Kuki+Ko. I also spearheaded the Vigilansia di Herensia Kòrsou project, funded by the Fund for Culture Participation, which engages volunteers in collecting archaeological heritage data using the open-source app ODK Collect.
Looking to the future, I believe that communities must play a larger role in heritage management and preservation, particularly on smaller islands like Curaçao. Development pressures from tourism and limited structural funding for heritage present significant challenges, leading to the loss of cultural heritage and inadequate management. Both the Archaeology Curaçao website and the Vigilansia project aim to foster a more balanced integration of individuals and communities into the field of heritage management while spreading awareness and consciousness.
Drs. Amy Victorina
My name is Amy Victorina, and I am proud to be a Yu di Kòrsou—a child of Curaçao. I had a wonderful childhood on this vibrant island, and, like many young people here, I moved to the Netherlands in 2001 after high school to further my education. In 2003, I began my studies in Archaeology and Prehistory at the University of Amsterdam, initially aiming to focus on medieval archaeology. During my studies, my interests broadened to include the pre-Islamic Middle East and European medieval history. However, due to the shifting dynamics in the region at the start of this century, I adjusted my focus to the Mediterranean and Near East, though it remains my dream to visit Iraq, Iran, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries one day.
My academic and fieldwork experiences have been diverse and enriching. I completed fieldwork in the Netherlands and various locations in Greece. My bachelor’s degree focused on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern archaeology, with a minor in Bible Studies and Art History. I developed a deep interest in the history of religions and the art that surrounds them, especially pre-Christian and Christian traditions. When it came time for my master’s research, I discovered a project focused on heritage management and archaeology in Curaçao, conducted by the National Archaeological Anthropological Memory Management (NAAM Foundation) in collaboration with the Bureau Monuments and Archaeology Amsterdam (BMA). One of my professors was involved in the project, so I reached out to him, and he invited me to join as a team member responsible for managing the archaeological materials collected. This opportunity allowed me to conduct in-depth research on an important collection from Punda’s historic city center, developing specialized knowledge of this material. This experience ultimately inspired me to complete my master’s thesis on Curaçao’s archaeology.
After earning my MA, I returned home to Curaçao and began working as an archaeologist for the NAAM Foundation. Since 2010, I have dedicated my career to protecting and celebrating our island’s heritage. My work spans many aspects of heritage management, including legislative efforts like the preliminary work for the implementation of the Malta Treaty on Curaçao and Bonaire. I’ve developed my expertise in Curaçaoan and Caribbean archaeology and have managed many NAAM-led archaeological projects, as well as collaborations with foreign researchers.
I am also involved in educational outreach on heritage management and archaeology, and I lead projects related to heritage data processing and ethical practices in archaeology. I specialize in the historical archaeology of Curaçao and remain passionate about preserving and promoting the unique heritage of our island.